Wearing a mask is now mandatory in indoor spaces like public transport and shopping centres across Greater Sydney after new rules began at midnight.

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the new regulations on Saturday as seven new locally acquired cases were revealed.

Residents in the Greater Sydney – which includes Wollongong, Central Coast and the Blue Mountains – will face $200 fines from Monday if they are not wearing masks in the following indoor spaces:

• Shopping centres including retail supermarkets
• Public transport
• Indoor entertainment including cinemas and theatres
• Places of worship
• Beauty and hair salons

Staff in hospitality venues and casinos, along with patrons using gaming services, will also be expected to wear masks.

Children under 12 are exempt from wearing masks but are asked to wear one where practical.

https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1345160004295217152

Venue number restrictions

The number of people allowed in a number of indoor venues will also change.

Gyms classes will be restricted from 50 to 30 people. Places of worship have been capped at 100 people, with the one person per square metre being enforced for smaller spaces.

This rule is also in place for weddings and funerals.

Outdoors performances and protests have been reduced to 100 people per separate area, while controlled outdoor gatherings where patrons are seated, ticketed and enclosed has been reduced to 2000 people.

Northern Beaches

The southern zone of Northern Beaches has had restrictions loosened after a lockdown over the holidays.

The south will now be considered a part of Greater Sydney and are not required to observe stay at home orders.

Restrictions for the northern zone remain the same until January 9.

No visitors are allowed in homes. Only five northern zone residents can gather outdoors for exercise and recreation if they are from the same zone.

Non-essential businesses remain closed.

No changes have been made in regional NSW.

France's interior minister said Saturday a judicial investigation has been opened to identify and prosecute organisers of an underground New Year’s Eve party that drew at least 2,500 people in western France despite a curfew amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Gerald Darmanin tweeted that actions by police around the site at Lieuron, in Brittany, "led to the end of the illegal party without violence" on Saturday morning, some 36 hours after it began.

He said more than 1,200 people have been fined for not respecting the curfew, not wearing a mask and illegally taking part in a gathering. Sound equipment and power generators have been confiscated, he added.

Ravers from France and abroad converged on a hangar in Lieuron on Thursday night to party into the New Year.

Officials said ravers attacked the police on the first night, torching one police vehicle and injuring officers with volleys of bottles and stones.

It said police were attacked when they tried to stop ravers from installing their party gear.

The party took place despite France's nationwide 8pm to 6am curfew aimed at dissuading people from gathering amid the pandemic.

Party-goers, however, appealed for understanding after months of nightlife-destroying lockdowns and curfews designed to limit coronavirus infections.

A volunteer with an aid group that was distributing masks, anti-virus gel and health advice inside the techno party said ravers needed to let loose.

He said ravers are trying to stay safe by not sharing joints or drinks.

Their group, Techno +, was advising party-goers to self-isolate for a week and then get tested after attending the rave.

The group also said the disused hangar was airy and well-ventilated.

France has reported more than 64,000 virus-related deaths since the start of the pandemic.

A bushfire emergency warning has been issued for a blaze burning at Wundowie, around 70 kilometres north of Perth in Western Australia.

Emergency WA warned residents that those in the path of fire are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.

The fire started near the intersection of the Great Eastern Highway and Inkpen Road in Wundowie and is threatening lives and homes.

READ MORE: Four people charged over illegal campfire that sparked Fraser Island bushfire

https://twitter.com/dfes_wa/status/1345290172640870400

There are currently 150 volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Bush Fire Service, Career Fire and Rescue Service firefighters in attendance.

Those who are self-isolating or quarantining at home due to COVID-19 have been told to leave.

"You should leave and find alternative accommodation with family or friends who live away from the area," Emergency WA advised.

READ MORE: Before and after: One year since horrific Black Summer bushfires

"If you are unable to return to your quarantine location within one hour, telephone WA Police on 131 444 to advise them you have had to leave due to an emergency."

The fire is currently out of control, unpredictable, and moving in a north-westerly direction.

The warning is in place for people bounded by Oyston Road and Fernie Road to the east, Inkpen Road to the South, Linley Valley Road and Allen Street to the west and Golf Links Road to the North, including people in Mauravillo Estate, El Caballo Resort and the town of Wundowie in the Shire of Northam.

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Meteorologists are watching a tropical low currently over the Gulf of Carpentaria to see if it will develop into a tropical cyclone that will impact the NT and Far North Queensland.

The low is currently 230 kilometres northwest of the NT/Queensland border and is moving in an easterly direction.

It's anticipated the low will intensify over the coming days, with the potential to develop into a tropical cyclone throughout Sunday night.

READ MORE: Cyclones, dangerous rain feared as La Niña forms

As a result, coastal and island communities between the NT/Queensland border and Kowanyama are being warned to expect wind gales over an area of 100 kilometres.

The cyclone, if formed, will also bring abnormally high tides and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding.

"The tropical low may develop into a tropical cyclone during Sunday night over the far southern Gulf of Carpentaria," the Bureau of Meteorology advised.

READ MORE: First tropical cyclone of the season brewing

"The tropical low or cyclone is expected to move southeastwards and cross the southeastern Gulf coast during Monday."

Residents in the path of the weather event are encouraged to visit Queensland's Disaster Management Services website at www.disaster.qld.gov.au and to have emergency numbers on hand.

The BoM advises for emergency assistance call the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising floodwater, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).

Queensland's border to NSW and Victoria currently remains unchanged despite rising concern from the state's health authorities.

Currently, entry to Queensland requires a person who has been in New South Wales after 1am 11 December 2020 to apply for and receive a Queensland Border Declaration Pass.

Queensland residents who have been in a declared hotspot since December 11 can only enter Queensland by air and must quarantine in government accommodation.

READ MORE: Five Sydney residents fined for lying their way into Queensland

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young urged Queenslanders to reconsider travel to NSW and Victoria.

"Victoria's own assessment of the situation is that the risk of spread is right across the state, not just in Melbourne, which is why they have imposed restrictions across their entire state.

"This is very serious and we're taking this action now, like we did with New South Wales – this will ensure we know of any positive cases really early and we can manage our response accordingly."

READ MORE: Queensland border delays continue as five new cases recorded

Anyone currently in Queensland who has been in Victoria on or since 21 December should get tested immediately and quarantine at home or their accommodation until they receive a negative result.

"Things can change quickly really quickly with this virus – we've seen that in other jurisdictions, which is why I continue to advise Queenslanders to reconsider their need to travel to New South Wales or Victoria," Dr Young said.

"If you do decide to go, you need to be aware of the potential consequences, such as border changes and not making it home to Queensland before hotel quarantine is imposed.

"And if you're already in Victoria or New South Wales, consider coming home."

You can get up-to-date information from the Federal Government's Coronavirus Australia app, available on the App Store, Google Play and the Government's WhatsApp channel.

Beyond Blue's Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is a 24/7 service free of charge to all Australians. Visit the site here or call 1800512348

For coronavirus breaking news alerts and livestreams straight to your smartphone sign up to the 9News app and set notifications to on at the App Store or Google Play.

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A NSW couple accused of fleeing from Victorian health officials at Melbourne Airport have released a statement explaining why they left without quarantining.

Terry and Debbie Elford this afternoon released a statement saying officials at the airport were unable to definitively tell them whether or not they would have to quarantine.

Earlier today Victorian Health Officials said the pair absconded from officers and were facing fines of up to $19,000 each.

READ MORE: Victoria records 10 more local COVID-19 cases

"We really are very sorry for the mess this has caused," the Elfords said in the statement.

"Like hundreds of others on 1 January 2021, we got caught up with the confusion when the rules about entering Victoria changed.

"We had a permit, live in a green zone in NSW, were flying from Canberra airport which is allowed, and after we arrived in Tullamarine, we were stopped by DHHS officers who were not able to tell us whether or not we needed to quarantine, so after about an hour or so we walked away."

The pair said they attended a family BBQ before flying back to Canberra.

Once they noticed the story this morning, they made contact with local police in Goulburn and have been tested for COVID-19. They are currently isolating.

Earlier today Victoria's Commander of Testing Jeroen Weimar said the pair were facing huge fines.

"They absconded, they disappeared in a vehicle and they were next heard of in Goulburn in New South Wales," Mr Weimar said.

"We are working with the New South Wales authorities. They will be facing at least a $19,000 fine each and perhaps further breaches of Victorian public health regulations."

Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said the two were now in Goulburn, in NSW.

"This is a very serious matter. We have established the link between New South Wales' cluster and the outbreak in Victoria. We are determined to get on top of it and I know that requires what appears to some people to be tough measures but the virus does not respect state borders," Mr Foley said.

READ MORE: Unknown origin of cluster causes concern

Mr Weimar urged people coming from NSW not to attempt to cross the Victorian border.

"It's very important now that anybody who is in New South Wales who has a particular need or desire to come back to Victoria, do not come to the border, do not get on a plane and come to the airport, because you will be turned back and you won't be able to apply for an exemption at the border or at the airport," he said.

"Those wishing to cross need to apply for an exemption online and wait at least 24-48 hours for their matter to be reviewed."

Mr Foley said there had been an enormous amount of co-operation between Victoria and NSW since the "wildly infectious" virus had tracked across state lines but that the patient who brought the virus had not yet been identified.

"It has hitched a ride from New South Wales to Black Rock. We've yet to establish exactly the vehicle that has done that but we have established the science that has had that happen," Mr Foley said.

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